Fifty Shades of Grey reinforces the problem of abuse against women and should not be regarded simply as an erotic fantasy, researchers said today.
They found that EL James’s novel, the fastest-selling paperback of all time, included a number of examples of “intimate partner violence”, such as intimidation, isolation, stalking and humiliation.
Dubbed “mummy porn”, the book tells of the bondage-based relationship between graduate Anastasia Steele and billionaire businessman Christian Grey.
Amy Bonomi, an incoming professor at Michigan State University, and two former colleagues from Ohio State University carried out analysis of the first eight chapters, and found that “emotional abuse is present in nearly every interaction”.
The novel was named one of the books of the year at a 2012 awards ceremony, but Ms Bonomi said: “This book is perpetuating dangerous abuse standards and yet it’s being cast as this romantic, erotic book for women.
“The erotic content could have been accomplished without the theme of abuse.”
In a paper in the US-based Journal of Women’s Health, the researchers said Anastasia “experiences reactions typical of abused women” and became “disempowered and entrapped”.
Ms Bonomi said she did not want the book banned, but that readers recognised patterns of abuse.
“I can’t tell you the number of students I’ve had in my classrooms who’ve told me they had no idea what they were experiencing was abuse,” she added.
